KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 ― Malaysians who do not want the government’s cash aid are not forced to accept it, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said at the close of his party’s general assembly here today.

Najib, who is also prime minister and finance minister, said the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) introduced by his administration was meant to reduce the financial burden of the people and was not an attempt to "buy votes” as alleged.

"If you don't want BR1M, don't take, no problem,” he said.

The cash aid programme has been increasingly steadily since its introduction in 2012.

For 2017, families with a household income of under RM3,000 will receive RM1,200 in BR1M.

The programme is estimated to cost the government RM6.8 billion next year, up from RM5.4 billion spent this year.

The programme benefits some seven million households in Malaysia.